Kyphoplasty

Serving Hinsdale, Chicago, & Calumet City, IL 

How Kyphoplasty works

The procedure involves the insertion of two inflatable bone tamps, into the fractured vertebrae. The bone tamps are precisely inflated using volumetric control, this reduces present fracture and pushes endplates apart restoring vertebral height. Once the correction is set, the bone tamp is removed and the vertebrae is suffused with bone cement that prevents further fracture and collapse.

What to expect during Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty is an outpatient procedure that takes about an hour per fractured vertebrae to complete. This may be completed using either local or general anesthesia, Dr. Jain will determine the most appropriate method based on overall condition.

Once the procedure is completed you may experience a remarkable decrease in vertebral pain and improved mobility along with a slight height increase and change in posture.

Patients will require a friend or relative to accompany them in order to drive them home after the use of anesthesia.

What is a vertebral compression fracture?

A compression fracture consists of small breaks or cracks in the vertebrae. These fractures in the bone cause the spine to weaken and collapse. Over time, these fractures affect posture, height, and cause pain.

Some symptoms that may arise from a vertebral compression fracture include:

• Sudden onset of back pain that becomes chronic and long lasting. Usually developing anywhere between the shoulders and the mid to lower back. 

• A decrease in the mobility of the spine and the inability to twist or bend over.

• Hunched over appearance.

• Loss of height.

• Pinched nerves and damage to the nerves. This may cause tingling and numbness in the back and make walking difficult.

• Bladder and bowel control (usually occurs with severe, untreated fractures).

What causes compression fractures?

Most commonly caused by osteoporosis, a decrease in mineral density and bone mass or when the structure and strength of bone decreases. People with osteoporosis may get a compression fracture from a fall or even from daily activities such as getting in and out of a car.

Without the presence of osteoporosis, compression fractures normally result from trauma, such as a car accident or cancer. Cancer tumors may spread to the spine, weakening the vertebrae and causing bone to break.